Burgers Across the World: Dogs, Burgers, and Puppy Cuddles in Porirua
Last weekend I had the absolute joy of photographing Burgers Across the World, a weekend-long celebration of burgers in Porirua’s new food and shopping hub, Kai Tahi. This festival wasn’t just about mouth-watering beef patties and gourmet buns – it had something for our four-legged friends too!
Leading the charge was 4Paws Empire, who created the very first-ever Burger Wellington burger for dogs. They invited me along to capture the fun over the weekend – from the mini-events to the happy pups tucking into their dog-friendly burgers and even sipping on doggo beer.
Day 1: Doggy Yoga, Petting Zoo & The Good Boy Burger
Day 1 kicked off with a little chaos and a lot of joy. Despite the rainy weather, Kai Tahi proved the perfect indoor venue. The lineup of events was incredible:
Doggy yoga with Be Calmed Studio – watching dogs join in (or photobomb!) the poses was a mix of chaos and absolute delight.
A petting zoo, giving both kids and pups a chance to meet some furry friends.
Puppy cuddles with Ellie's Canine Rescue & Rehome. Donations for puppy cuddles going right to helping the rescue pups.
And of course, the highlight for the dogs: the Good Boy Burger (and beer) from 4Paws Empire, a delicious treat made just for pups.
Seeing all the dogs enjoy their burgers was heartwarming (some eating the burger in almost one bite, others being more precious and taking their time!), and the rain didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits!
Day 2: More Yoga, Puppy Love & Doggy Burgers
Day 2 brought even more smiles. I was accompanied by my husband Bob and pup Fin who got to enjoy the day as well! Doggy yoga kicked off the day again and was beautifully chaotic, with plenty of giggles and wagging tails – one dog in particular decided to roam during the session and created quite the scene. This time, Chance 4 Change brought pups along for cuddles, and the 4Paws Empire dog burgers were a hit again – Fin got involved too, having his own burger!
It was amazing to see so many people discovering Kai Tahi, enjoying the events, and sharing a dog-friendly experience together. A venue that welcomes pups makes everything feel a little warmer, a little more inclusive, and a lot more fun.
Behind the Scenes: One News Breakfast Appearance
As if two days weren’t enough, I was invited back for a third day to capture 4Paws’ founders, Glenna and Damon, sharing their dog burger live on One News Breakfast – alongside their own golden retrievers and a few other pups. Watching them showcase their creation, and seeing the dogs enjoy it live on TV, was such a special experience.
Don’t Miss Out!
If you didn’t manage to get your pup a Burger Wellington burger over the weekend, there’s still a chance – they’re available until 24th August 2025!
Huge congratulations to Kai Tahi, Discover Porirua, and 4 Paws Empire for putting together such a fun, dog-friendly festival. From rainy-day indoor vibes to puppy cuddles and doggy burgers, it was a weekend full of smiles, wagging tails, and happy tummies. 🥹
